www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Targeting areas for Missions.

Ok guys there are at least six targets that we can put our sites on for Missions:

1) Peoria Illinois

2) Omaha Nebraska

3) Wisconsin (the lapsed mission)

4) Sioux Falls, SD

5) Champaign, IL

6) And some interest in Iowa.

Now, what needs to happen in order for us to go forth. Look I am not just tilting windmills here, I really want to know what is holding us back on going out and doing the Lord's work.

What are the steps that need to be taken in order to establish a mission?

John,

There seemed to be a wider interest in these topics before we actually started making reports. Something's fishy.

There is nothing to stop us from starting missions. However, without resources both monetary and vocations, they will more than likely be stllborn.

If the RCs and the Orthodox can do us what seems to be stopping us is FEAR. The devil himself can't scare us withuot our cooperation. Why are we cooperating?

Dan Lauffer

No fear here. I am simply asking the question that if there is interest then why are we sitting on our hands.

I don't seem to remember Christ saying "Go out and preach to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, unless of course you have no money and you are afraid."

That didn't seem to make it in my bible...

Dan,

You are completely right, there needs to be resources in order to do this. The question thus becomes, what is holding them up? What must happen in order for us to get off our hands and actually do the work of the Lord?

Fear does keep us back. But why do we fear?

As Christ said "Be not afraid" and which was echoed by John Paul the Great.

Joe,

Check the resources forum. Tithing is central. But are we willing to move ahead even if no other Church buys into the vision? Perhaps Amado's idea will get somewhere. But we will still need priests.

Dan L

Dear CD:

Don't you think the needed priests should come later?

I think the initial (and critical) step is to build up the number of missions, leading to the increase (inevitable, I hope) in the number of parishioners.

The facilities of the nearest Latin Church have been used by others as a stop-gap measure while building up an Easter Catholic mission or parish.

My fervent wish for your success always remains.

Amado

Amado

The process as it stands now is 8 years if we aren't willing to move priests around or if we aren't willing to modify some of the requirements for special situations.

CDL

Here's a thought - evangelize the existing churches that have a "dying" congregation. Once they are evangelized, you may have a "political" foothold to be a visionary steward of the purse-strings having the resources to expand...

Larry,

I don't think it is an either/or, I believe it is a both/and.

John

Larry,

It's a tricky business to try to evangelize someone elses' congregation. It's tricky enough to try to do so in ones own. Yet, look about you on Sunday morning. God is doing it at Annunciation.

Now, my friend, you mentioned a need to be evangelized yourself because your attendance has become a little sporadic. Ok, I'm going to do it, though Father would probably council me to do this face to face and not on a public forum and perhaps I'm presuming on our friendship. Nevertheless, here goes. I need some evangelizing in my own life. I rarely go to vespers or even to Matins, though I used to. I'll pray that you do better in your attendance to Divine Liturgy and you pray for me that I deepen my own walk with the Lord.

Ok, the Holy Spirit has set before us a challenge and I've walked in it. Will you?

Dan Lauffer

John - Another good point - I like the way you build on my thoughts!!

Dan -
You are correct that comments of a personal level should remain personal and off the site but as your intentions are pure and so are mine. I will pray for you in kind. Thank you for your care and concern.

Larry,

I view this in a holistic and scriptural manner. St. Paul told us that when one part of the body suffers then all parts of the body suffer. Right now we have wounds all over the body.

1) Lack of monasticism

2) Parish stagnation

3) No mission efforts (planting churches)

4) Low Vocations

All of these, I believe are symptoms of something bigger. I am committed to working on this in a whole manner treating the whole body of our Church rather than just the parts.

John,

You seem to have hit the nail on the head.

CDL

John -
Resources (and planning) are required for all. Sometimes, to get a movement on one item of concern is a way to build momentum for all.

Fr. Loya has used the phrase "where the rubber meets the road" from an old televison tire commercial (possibly Uniroyal). I've used that phrase many times myself. It can get "sticky" during a discussion of HOW (execution towards) progress in any of those areas is had. It shows that the homework has been done and in the process, consideration is given to what is best for all. This is what I refer to as having a plan. It makes for convincing and professional response to opposition.